Chapter 2 (Part 4)

After a brief silence, Anthus spoke first.

“I have no choice. But I would like you to promise me one thing.”

“What kind of promise?”

“Allow me to stay by your side.”

“Stay by my side?”

“Yes. If you allow me to stay by your side, I won’t oppose your participation in the investigation. But if you don’t…”

“You mean I can join the investigation if I agree?”

“Exactly. So please give me permission to stay by your side.”

“Alright… Stay by my side.”

Anthus slightly lifted the corners of his mouth. He had asked the question knowing Yuliana wouldn’t back down. As expected, she wanted to join the investigation of the new type of monster. While he was glad to be able to be with her, a part of him also wished she had refused.

“No matter what happens, I will stay by your side and protect you.”

Anthus smiled brightly. As long as he stayed by her side, everything would be fine.

“But Duke.”

“Yes.”

“Do you have specific people in mind for the investigation team?”

“I plan to include Mercenary King Erzen, Alchemist Anton, and receive support from the wizards of the Mage Tower.”

“The… Mercenary King? I heard he’s difficult to hire…”

“That’s just a rumor. He’s not difficult at all.”

“Then why does he have such a reputation?”

“It’s because he receives so many requests and rejects many of them, leading to such rumors.”

“That makes sense.”

“Indeed, rumors can be quite misleading…”

As they conversed, there was a knock, and staff entered to set the table with dishes one by one.

Simultaneously, Anthus’s hands became busy. He cut the best part of the butter-scented lobster and placed it on Yuliana’s plate with a smile.

“It’s okay. I can serve myself, Duke.”

“I meant it when I said I would serve you sincerely.”

Unaware of the restless staff’s feelings, Anthus continued to serve Yuliana salad bit by bit.

“Please eat too, Duke.”

“Yes.”

Yuliana picked up the food Anthus had placed on her plate with a fork and put it in her mouth. The deep flavor of the sea melted in her mouth, making her smile.

“It’s delicious.”

“Is it to your taste?”

“Yes.”

“I’m glad you like it, Lia.”

Yuliana nodded at Anthus’s words but then paused.

“What’s wrong, Lia?”

Anthus asked, noticing her reaction.

“You called me by my nickname, then addressed me as Lady Yuliana…”

“I’m sorry. I’m so happy to call the woman I like by her nickname… If it bothers you, I’ll try not to.”

Seeing Anthus looking like a puppy whose bowl had been taken away, Yuliana felt flustered.

“No, it doesn’t bother me.”

“Really?”

“It’s just… a bit overwhelming.”

“Then how about I call you ‘Yuli’?”

“Yuli?”

“Since we’re not ‘yet’ lovers, how about I call you Yuli, like your cherished spirits do?”

“You speak as if we will become lovers. But do you really have to call me by a nickname?”

“I want to call you by a nickname… Of course, it would be even better if we could be in a relationship where I can call you that.”

“Then… only call me Yuli when we’re alone.”

“Thank you for allowing it. And if you accept my confession, I’ll call you Lia instead of Yuli.”

“You seem very confident that I’ll accept your confession.”

“Even if you reject me, I won’t give up on you, Yuli.”

“I could keep rejecting you.”

“Yuli, you can continue to reject my confession. I’ll do my best to win you over, so please look kindly upon me.”

Yuliana looked at Anthus, who said he wouldn’t give up even if she kept rejecting him. Although she felt like she was being drawn in by his words and actions that kept finding a way into her heart, strangely, she didn’t feel bad about it. Every time he called her by a nickname, her heart felt ticklish.

“Even if I get rejected, I just want to confess. You have no idea how precious and happy I am to be able to express my feelings now.”

Contrary to his fluttering words, Anthus’s expression looked pained.

“Since it’s not long after your engagement was broken off, I kept telling myself it’s not the right time to confess. I didn’t want to confess so suddenly. I wanted to do it with flowers and gifts in a beautiful setting. But… I couldn’t control my feelings, fearing someone might take you away.”

“Duke…”

“People often say that courage is needed when confessing, but what I need when confessing is gratitude for this moment. The moment when I can express my feelings… I am just grateful.”

Yuliana quietly smiled at Anthus’s words.

“I never thought that you liked me, Duke. Although your confession was sudden, I don’t take it lightly. On the contrary, I am considering it seriously.”

Yuliana spoke while looking at Anthus intently.

“So, could you wait for me? I want to think about it seriously and give you a careful answer.”

“I will wait.”

Anthus bowed his head, covering his face with both hands, his body shaking slightly.

“I will try harder so that you can call me ‘Yan’.”

Anthus suddenly became curious. If his nickname were to flow from Yuliana’s small lips… Just thinking about it made his heart pound as if someone were hammering nails into it.

“Yes, please try.”

At Yuliana’s response, Anthus’s eyes widened before curving into crescent shapes as he beamed a broad smile.

“It’s already time…”

Anthus looked at his watch with a very regretful expression.

“Do you have an appointment?”

“It’s not an appointment, but… I have a favorite opera singer. Fortunately, I became his patron. He has a performance today, and I was planning to go see it alone.”

Anthus began to explain in detail about an appointment he didn’t need to tell Yuliana about.

“Really? You kept looking at your watch to make it to the performance on time.”

“Yes.”

“Being a patron of a favorite singer… I’m envious. I have a singer I wanted to support, but I was turned down. Who are you supporting?”

“Lainus Ellermin.”

Anthus replied as if he had been waiting for Yuliana’s question.

“Duke… Did you just say ‘Lainus Ellermin’?”

The voice given by God. The man who sings healing songs. Yuliana is an ardent fan of Lainus Ellermin.

“I’ve been a long-time fan of Lainus Ellermin as well.”

Anthus knew, of course, that Yuliana liked Lainus Ellermin’s voice. That’s why he persuaded Lainus to accept his patronage.

And as the day approached for the investigation team to head back to the capital, Anthus had sent a letter to Butler Ferrell at the Duke’s residence, instructing him to arrange a performance on the day they arrived.

“Actually, I had given up on seeing his performance because I thought the investigation period would be long… But fortunately, I arrived today and can see his performance. I am so happy…”

Anthus continued with an ecstatic expression.

“Yuli, have you ever heard his songs?”

Anthus asked Yuliana with an innocent expression, pretending not to know anything.

“I am also a fan of Lainus Ellermin.”

Anthus’s eyes widened.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Seeing Yuliana’s sparkling eyes, Anthus’s heart began to flutter. He gritted his teeth to prevent his smile from breaking out.

“I can’t believe there’s a fan of his so close by… In that case, Yuli, may I ask you for a favor?”

“A favor? If it’s something I can do… I’ll do it.”

“Would you watch today’s opera…performance with me?”

“You mean to see Lainus Ellermin’s performance? Can I go with you?”

“Yes, of course.”

Reason told her not to go… But Yuliana’s mind was filled with the thought of seeing Lainus’s performance. The desire to see Lainus’s performance! Yuliana’s hesitation was short. Her fandom took precedence over reason.

“If you don’t want to, you can refuse. If you go in too late, Earl Loengrin might worry…”

Seeing Yuliana torn between reason and fandom, Anthus wanted to touch her cheek and tell her she was cute, but he suppressed his desire.

“I want to see it, Duke.”

“I didn’t know you were a fan of Lainus like me, Yuli.”

“I’m so envious that you’re his patron, Duke.”

Because she often went on expeditions, it was very difficult for Yuliana to see her favorite singer’s performances. Still, whenever she was in the capital on the day of his performance, she cleared her schedule to see Lainus’s performance.

“To be able to hear his warm voice today…”

“I am also looking forward to it. His voice feels comforting.”

“Lainus Ellermin is the only one who can evoke various emotions through his songs.”

“I agree.”

As they dined, Anthus and Yuliana talked about Lainus’s songs.

“There’s still some time before the performance, so let’s finish our meal and then leave.”

“I’ve finished eating.”

Anthus found Yuliana, who was quickly munching on her food, so cute that he stared at her.

“Please eat slowly.”

Yuliana smiled, feeling happy as she chewed. Anthus cut a large shellfish patty and placed it on her plate.

“I can serve myself, Duke.”

“I want to do this for you. Please don’t feel burdened.”

“…Thank you, Duke.”

Anthus continued to ensure Yuliana could eat comfortably without stopping.

The staff who brought out the dishes and cleared the empty plates tried to act as if nothing was happening, even though their pupils shook at the sight of Anthus meticulously serving Yuliana. They then left the room and talked about it. Naturally, the people nearby started spreading the word. The rumor quickly spread.

“The cold-hearted Duke Rockbellion was cutting food and placing it on Lady Yuliana’s plate…”

“He was serving her like a servant.”

“Are they… in that kind of relationship?”

“Shh. Other nobles might hear.”

“The Duke’s gaze when he looked at Lady Loengrin… It was so tender, wasn’t it?”

“It wasn’t just me who felt that way, right?”

The next day, it was only natural that the social circles were abuzz with rumors about Anthus and Yuliana.